Understanding Intersection Control Evaluations (ICE) 

Understanding the basics of Intersection Control Evaluations (ICE) is essential for anyone involved in traffic and safety engineering projects. ICE is a systematic approach to evaluating various traffic control options at intersections to enhance safety and efficiency. Here’s what you need to know about ICE. 

What is ICE? 

ICE is a process that assesses different methods for controlling traffic at intersections. It involves comparing traditional traffic signals, stop signs, roundabouts, and other innovative intersection types to determine the most effective solution for a specific location. The goal is to improve traffic flow, reduce crashes, and ensure safety for all roadway users. 

Why is ICE Important? 

ICE is crucial because intersections are complex ‘mixing’ nodes along the transportation network where multiple road users meet, making them prone to congestion and crashes. By evaluating various traffic control options, ICE helps in selecting the most appropriate control measure that balances safety, efficiency, impacts, and cost-effectiveness. 

Steps Involved in ICE 

Data Collection 

The first step in ICE is gathering data about the intersection. This includes traffic volumes, crash history, pedestrian activity, right-of-way constraints, and existing traffic control measures. Accurate data collection is vital for making informed decisions. 

Analysis 

Once the data is collected, the next step is to analyze it. This involves looking at traffic patterns, peak hours, and identifying crash patterns. The analysis helps in understanding the current situation and identifying problematic elements that need to be addressed. 

Evaluation of Options 

In this step, different traffic control options are evaluated. These can include traffic signals, roundabouts, stop signs, and other innovative intersection types that will improve safety and operations. Each option is assessed for its effectiveness in improving safety and operations while also considering impacts as well as a cost-benefit analysis. State agencies may adopt their own ICE procedure, as was done for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. 

Recommendation 

After evaluating the options, a recommendation is made. This recommendation will be based on the analysis and aims to provide the best solution for the intersection. It includes a detailed report outlining the benefits and drawbacks of the chosen option. The Federal Highway Administration has a significant amount of information available regarding ICE as well as tools available to guide designers through the process.  

Implementation 

The final step is implementing the recommended traffic control measure. This may involve installing new traffic control, modifying existing ones, or introducing new intersection geometry such as roundabouts or realigning the approaching roadways. 

Benefits of ICE 

Improved Safety 

One of the primary benefits of ICE is having a documented decision-making process to select the intersection type that results in the greatest cost-benefit to society. Crash severity is certainly a large factor in this process. 

Enhanced Traffic Flow 

ICE considers traffic operations since the associated intersection delay is a key component to understanding the loss of productivity that may result from congestion. Including this delay component ensures that efficient operations are a consideration in selecting a preferred alternative. 

Cost-Effectiveness 

The ICE process utilizes several factors which ultimately results in ranking alternatives by their life cycle cost. The ‘safest’ solution may not be the most cost effective, but the ICE process is an effective tool that weighs several factors to ensure alternatives are compared using a data-drive, performance-based framework. 

Where We Make An Impact

Intersection Control Evaluations (ICE) play a vital role in traffic and safety engineering projects. By systematically assessing various traffic control options, ICE enables informed decisions that enhance safety, improve traffic flow, and prioritize solutions based on cost-benefit analysis. McClure is ready to partner with you to create safer, more efficient roadways for your community.

Understanding Intersection Control Evaluations (ICE) 

Understanding the basics of Intersection Control Evaluations (ICE) is essential for anyone involved in traffic and safety engineering projects. ICE is a systematic approach to evaluating various traffic control options at intersections to enhance safety and efficiency. Here’s what you need to know about ICE. 

What is ICE? 

ICE is a process that assesses different methods for controlling traffic at intersections. It involves comparing traditional traffic signals, stop signs, roundabouts, and other innovative intersection types to determine the most effective solution for a specific location. The goal is to improve traffic flow, reduce crashes, and ensure safety for all roadway users. 

Why is ICE Important? 

ICE is crucial because intersections are complex ‘mixing’ nodes along the transportation network where multiple road users meet, making them prone to congestion and crashes. By evaluating various traffic control options, ICE helps in selecting the most appropriate control measure that balances safety, efficiency, impacts, and cost-effectiveness. 

Steps Involved in ICE 

Data Collection 

The first step in ICE is gathering data about the intersection. This includes traffic volumes, crash history, pedestrian activity, right-of-way constraints, and existing traffic control measures. Accurate data collection is vital for making informed decisions. 

Analysis 

Once the data is collected, the next step is to analyze it. This involves looking at traffic patterns, peak hours, and identifying crash patterns. The analysis helps in understanding the current situation and identifying problematic elements that need to be addressed. 

Evaluation of Options 

In this step, different traffic control options are evaluated. These can include traffic signals, roundabouts, stop signs, and other innovative intersection types that will improve safety and operations. Each option is assessed for its effectiveness in improving safety and operations while also considering impacts as well as a cost-benefit analysis. State agencies may adopt their own ICE procedure, as was done for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. 

Recommendation 

After evaluating the options, a recommendation is made. This recommendation will be based on the analysis and aims to provide the best solution for the intersection. It includes a detailed report outlining the benefits and drawbacks of the chosen option. The Federal Highway Administration has a significant amount of information available regarding ICE as well as tools available to guide designers through the process.  

Implementation 

The final step is implementing the recommended traffic control measure. This may involve installing new traffic control, modifying existing ones, or introducing new intersection geometry such as roundabouts or realigning the approaching roadways. 

Benefits of ICE 

Improved Safety 

One of the primary benefits of ICE is having a documented decision-making process to select the intersection type that results in the greatest cost-benefit to society. Crash severity is certainly a large factor in this process. 

Enhanced Traffic Flow 

ICE considers traffic operations since the associated intersection delay is a key component to understanding the loss of productivity that may result from congestion. Including this delay component ensures that efficient operations are a consideration in selecting a preferred alternative. 

Cost-Effectiveness 

The ICE process utilizes several factors which ultimately results in ranking alternatives by their life cycle cost. The ‘safest’ solution may not be the most cost effective, but the ICE process is an effective tool that weighs several factors to ensure alternatives are compared using a data-drive, performance-based framework. 

WHERE WE MAKE AN IMPACT